Temple proves too much for young Blue Hens

VIDEO: Highlights and Reaction to Delaware's home opener

Temple's Meghan Roxas' four 3-pointers proved too much for a young Delaware team to handle in a 70-58 Owl victory at the Bob Carpenter Center Tuesday night.

Delaware featured several lineups with three true freshman on the floor, and the young energy helped boost Delaware to a 17-8 advantage on a Joy Caracciolo layup with 11:42 to go in the opening half.

Temple slowly eased their way back into the game from there, holding Delaware without a field goal for the next 8:34 until Courtni Green's layup re-tied the game at 23 for the Blue Hens.

Tyonna Williams and Megan Roxas each hit three pointers in the final minute to push Temple to a 31-26 lead at intermission.

The second half followed a similar script, with Delaware responding after Temple's opening basket of the half with a 9-0 that put the Blue Hens ahead 34-33 for the final time in the game.

Delaware held Temple's lead within five, and tied the game at 46 on a three-point ply by freshman Shanice Johnson with 12:01 remaining.

Roxas then hit a pair of 3's as part of a 9-0 run over the next 3 minutes which proved to be the difference, as the extended run went to 16-1, and Temple (2-0) cruised to victory from there.

Five Temple players reached double figures, led by Natasha Thames' 15 point evening, while Feyonda Fitzgerald and Roxas each scored 12.

Shanice Johnson (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Kelsey Buchanan (13 points, 10 rebounds) each had their first career double-doubles for the Blue Hens (1-1) who host Wake Forest Friday at 8pm at the Bob Carpenter Center. Delaware will honor last year's Sweet 16 Team and Elena Delle Donne before the game.